Dino Beganovic took pole position in Melbourne in a one-lap shootout in the close stages, avoiding the pressure to start first for the Formula 2 Feature Race.
The Swede started his 2026 campaign in the best possible way, keeping a level head in the disrupted qualifying session to put together a strong lap. Beganovic told Motorsport Week and other media that it was all about being in the ‘right position’ at the right time.
“It’s great to be here and take the first pole of the year. It was a matter of being in the right position in the end, getting the tyres in and going for the lap. We were lucky enough to be quite in front in the pit lane to avoid, let’s say, the mess in the back.”
Taking pole in Formula 2 always involves a special focus and skill. With two red flags in the session, drivers were constantly prepared to go out or halfway through laps before having to return to the pits. In the end, they had time for just one lap.
The pressure to get the lap right at its peak in those final moments. Beganovic said he enjoys that pressure, and it pushes him forward.
“I think in general, I enjoy the pressure. It brings out the good in me. Some people are like that. Some people are the other way. But I’ve been able to deal with pressure in a positive way. It kind of helps me as well as working a lot mentally to prepare for the qualifying session, but also the race weekend, and visualising that perfect lap to put together in the end.”
“That’s all that matters. It’s something I’ve enjoyed my whole career. It’s you and the car in the end, one lap that counts. I’ve always had that as a strong thing. I’m happy to have that as, let’s say, a strong thing for myself.”
He also spoke about how, as a driver, you have to reset after each red or yellow flag, joking that it’s something you get used to in a series as chaotic as F2 and F3.
“It’s F2 and F3. That’s how it is,” He joked, “It’s about resetting before going again and just taking all the points that you have to do on that lap and how you have to think in the scenarios and not really being affected by what has happened or what is going on before that very important lap.
“It’s about resetting and just coming back to your mindset or your way of thinking when you want to do that perfect lap.”
Aiming for points
It’s not an easy road for Beganovic in Melbourne. Before starting on pole, the Dams Lucas Oil driver will start tenth in the Sprint Race. He noted that he’ll take a different approach to the shorter Saturday race but still wants to pick up points.
“Always, the sprint is about gathering the experience for the next race. But obviously, we want to move forward as well and try to get the first couple of points of the year already tomorrow. I think we have a good car.
“As I said, this weekend, in general, we also have a good race car. So I’m looking forward to trying it out tomorrow, starting off, and then we will see what we learn tomorrow for applying it on Sunday.”
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